There are nearly 350 forts in Maharashtra, so it is said that forts are
the glory of Maharashtra. Most of these forts are associated with
the great Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is believed
that he developed as many as thirteen forts.
Compiled by
CS Ooi
Forts in Maharashtra
• Nowhere in the country would you encounter such a
profusion of forts. And such variety. Sited on an island,
as at Murud-Janjira or guarding the seas as at Bassein,
or among the Sahyadri hills, as at Raigad, whose zig-zag
walls and rounded bastions sit like a sceptre and crown
amidst hills turned mauve.
• Most of the forts in Maharashtra whether up in the
hills or near the seas are associated with Shivaji --the
great Maratha warrior and an equally great fort builder.
Moreover, these forts were treated as mini-cities, such
as Panhala, which is now a hill station. The concept of
the fort-city was, however, not peculiar to Shivaji
alone. The Portuguese who came to India as traders
and missionaries, built within a century of their
coming, Bassein, a garden city to rival many a
European capital.
Map showing
position of
Maharashtra
State in India
Forts in Maharashtra
Ahmadnagar
Built in 1490 AD, is located 1 km away east of Ahmadnagar city in
Maharashtra. This 500-year old fort is circular in shape and has 18m
high wall reinforced with 22 bastions.
Forts in Maharashtra
Ajinkyatra
Ajinkyatra Fort is in Satara, Maharashtra. The fort is located at
Ajinkyatara Mountain, which is 3,300 feet high. As the fort is in the
higher altitude, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the entire
Satara city.
Forts in Maharashtra
Alibaug
Forts in Maharashtra
Arnala
Forts in Maharashtra
Chakan
Chakan Fort is located at Chakan near Pune in Maharashtra. The last
Maratha-British war was fought in this fort. This fort was built
keeping in mind that it might become a rare kind of fort in
Maharashtra.
Forts in Maharashtra
Samadhi of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Forts in Maharashtra
Daulatabad
Daulatabad is located at a distance of 13 km from Aurangabad. This
fort, which was once known as Devagiri, is a magnificent 12th
century fortress standing atop a hill. Constructed with excellent
architecture, is one of the few invincible forts in Maharashtra.
Forts in Maharashtra
Harishchandragad
Harishchandragad Fort is situated in Junnar region near Malshej
Ghat. is famous for its height, its toughness and the famous 'Konkan
Kada'. Harishchandra Temple is known to be the pride of the fort.
Forts in Maharashtra
Janjira
Forts in Maharashtra
Lohagad
Lohagad and Visapur Forts are situated atop an impressive hill near Malavali, 52 km
away from Pune. These forts were built in the 18th century. A 1 km long ridge
separates the two forts. These forts are regarded to be ideal for trekking and can be
toured in a day from Pune.
Forts in Maharashtra
Mumbai
An old British fort was located at north of Colaba, so the area north of Colaba is
known as Mumbai Fort. There are a lot of imposing buildings from Mumbai's golden
period here.
Forts in Maharashtra
Murud-Janjira
Forts in Maharashtra
Murud-Janjira
Murud-Janjira is located 60 km away from Alibaug, Maharashtra. This
small village is on the top of a hillock. It is believed that the rulers of
Ahmednagar constructed the fort in the 15th century. Despite the
ravages of wind and tide, the fort is almost entirely intact.
Forts in Maharashtra
Pratapgad
Pratapgad Fort is a mountain fort built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The fort is at a distance of 24 km from the hill station of
Mahabaleshwar. The fort holds a sturdy view of coastal Konkan. The
Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan's tomb are other places of interest.
Forts in Maharashtra
Pratapgad
Forts in Maharashtra
Pratapgad
Forts in Maharashtra
Purandhar
Purandhar Fort is located at a distance of 40 km from Pune. It played an important
role in the history of the brave ruler of the Maratha kingdom, Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Purandhar was the capital of the Maratha Kingdom, when it was in the budding
stages for quite sometime.
Forts in Maharashtra
Rajgad
Forts in Maharashtra
Raigad
Raigad was the capital of the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji
built the fort in the 14th century. Chit Darwaja, also known as Jit Darwaja is at the
foothills near village Pachad
Forts in Maharashtra
Rajgad
Forts in
Maharashtra
Raje
Forts in
Maharashtra
ShivSamadhi
Chatrapathi Shivaji was born in
Shivneri Fort in 1627. The Fort
is located at a distance of
around 3 km from Junnar (125
km from Pune). Shahaji, father
of Shivaji kept his wife Jijabai in
this fort during her pregnancy,
as the fort was unique and
difficult to reach. One has to
get through 7 doors before
reaching the actual fort.
Forts in Maharashtra
Sinhagad Fort
Forts in Maharashtra
The End
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